Allegation of large-scale irregularity in supply of grocery items to as many as 329 tribal schools in Sundargarh district under the District Welfare Office (DWO) has come to the fore.
A delegation of BJP met the Sundargarh Collector on Wednesday and demanded an inquiry into the matter. The delegation alleged that although the supply tender was awarded to suppliers for supplying different daily usable items to the tribal schools of Sundargarh district, the prices of different items are higher than the market prices.
Sources said in as many as 329 tribal schools of the district, about 47,727 students stay in hostel and get education. These tribal schools are funded by the Government of India and therefore for each student, an amount of Rs 750 is paid for their food and other maintenance cost. As per earlier practice, the school authorities used to manage the food and other expenditures on their own as they purchased the daily useable items from local market.
The administration of these schools is managed by the DWO, Sundargarh. The price of various items mentioned in the supply order, however, has raised serious question marks over the legitimacy of the tender.
"We were shocked to see that the price of dal has been mentioned as Rs 70 per kg in the supply order, whereas dal is available in local market at Rs 65 only. Similarly, biscuit packets, which have been ordered on a price of Rs 4.95 paise per unit, are available with wholesalers on a price of Rs 4.60 per unit, although the MRP written on the packet is Rs 5," said senior BJP leader and Councillor of Sundargarh Municipality Himansu Sarangi.
"It can be imagined how much amount is being generated from the difference in the prices quoted and the market prices, given the bulk purchase of the items,” Sarangi added.
"I have directed for a detail inquiry into the matter, both regarding the allegation of price and also in tendering process," said Collector Vineet Bharadwaj, adding, "After the inquiry will be completed, we will take necessary steps in the case."